Georgetown Security Law Brieftag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-16690642016-05-18T14:50:30-04:00TypePadGeorgetownSecurityBriefhttps://feedburner.google.comNigerians find one of 219 girls abducted by Boko Haramtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e8a6ff970c2016-05-18T14:50:30-04:002016-05-18T14:50:30-04:00Al Jazeera reports one of the 219 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok in northeast Nigeria has been found, the first breakthrough since their seizure by Boko Haram more than two years ago, according to the army and activists. Tsambido Hosea Abana, a Chibok community leader in Abuja from the BringBackOurGirls pressure group, said on Twitter on Wednesday that the girl was found by civilian vigilantes in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno state the previous day. Yakubu Nkeki, head of the Abducted Chibok Girls Parents' group, and Ayuba Alamson Chibok, a community leader in the town, also gave the same account...Georgetown CNSL

Al Jazeera reports one of the 219 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok in northeast Nigeria has been found, the first breakthrough since their seizure by Boko Haram more than two years ago, according to the army and activists. Tsambido Hosea Abana, a Chibok community leader in Abuja from the BringBackOurGirls pressure group, said on Twitter on Wednesday that the girl was found by civilian vigilantes in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno state the previous day. Yakubu Nkeki, head of the Abducted Chibok Girls Parents' group, and Ayuba Alamson Chibok, a community leader in the town, also gave the same account to AFP news agency.

Hackers spying on U.S. campaignstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e8a665970c2016-05-18T14:41:15-04:002016-05-18T14:41:15-04:00The Associated Press reports the United States sees evidence that hackers, possibly working for foreign governments, are snooping on the presidential candidates, the nation's intelligence chief said Wednesday. Government officials are working with the campaigns to tighten security as the race for the White House intensifies. The activity follows a pattern set in the last two presidential elections. Hacking was rampant in 2008, according to U.S. intelligence officials, and both President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney were targets of Chinese cyberattacks four years later. Despite that history, cyber experts say neither Donald Trump's nor Hillary Clinton's campaign networks are secure...Georgetown CNSL

The Associated Press reports the United States sees evidence that hackers, possibly working for foreign governments, are snooping on the presidential candidates, the nation's intelligence chief said Wednesday. Government officials are working with the campaigns to tighten security as the race for the White House intensifies. The activity follows a pattern set in the last two presidential elections. Hacking was rampant in 2008, according to U.S. intelligence officials, and both President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney were targets of Chinese cyberattacks four years later. Despite that history, cyber experts say neither Donald Trump's nor Hillary Clinton's campaign networks are secure enough to eliminate the risk.

Zika may reach Europe this summer tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb09025a5d970d2016-05-18T14:37:52-04:002016-05-18T14:37:52-04:00BBC News reports the Zika virus could spread to Europe this summer, although the likelihood of an outbreak is low to moderate, the World Health Organization has said. Areas most at risk are those where Aedes mosquitoes may spread the virus, like the Black Sea coast of Russia and Georgia and the island of Madeira. Countries with a moderate risk include France, Spain, Italy and Greece, while the risk in the UK is low. The UN agency is not issuing any new travel advice at this time.Georgetown CNSL

BBC News reports the Zika virus could spread to Europe this summer, although the likelihood of an outbreak is low to moderate, the World Health Organization has said. Areas most at risk are those where Aedes mosquitoes may spread the virus, like the Black Sea coast of Russia and Georgia and the island of Madeira. Countries with a moderate risk include France, Spain, Italy and Greece, while the risk in the UK is low. The UN agency is not issuing any new travel advice at this time.

Despite pledge to withdraw, Russian forces remain in Syriatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e8a565970c2016-05-18T14:29:10-04:002016-05-18T14:29:10-04:00The Washington Post reports despite pledging to withdraw the majority of its forces from Syria in March, the Russian military remains firmly entrenched throughout the country and is even continuing to expand in some areas, the Pentagon said Wednesday. Army Col. Steve Warren, a spokesman for the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State, told reporters Tuesday that Russian capabilities are “almost identical” to what they were before President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that his country’s forces would soon be returning home.Georgetown CNSL

The Washington Post reports despite pledging to withdraw the majority of its forces from Syria in March, the Russian military remains firmly entrenched throughout the country and is even continuing to expand in some areas, the Pentagon said Wednesday. Army Col. Steve Warren, a spokesman for the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State, told reporters Tuesday that Russian capabilities are “almost identical” to what they were before President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that his country’s forces would soon be returning home.

Afghanistan signs draft agreement with insurgent grouptag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e8a4e8970c2016-05-18T14:23:26-04:002016-05-18T14:23:26-04:00Reuters reports Afghanistan signed a draft agreement with the Hezb-e-Islami militant group on Wednesday in a move the government hopes could lead to a full peace accord with one of the most notorious warlords in the insurgency. Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is a veteran of decades of Afghan war and rights groups have accused his group of widespread abuses, particularly during the civil war of the early 1990s, when he briefly served as prime minister.The United States has also linked the group to al Qaeda and the Taliban and put Hekmatyar on its designated terrorist list.Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports Afghanistan signed a draft agreement with the Hezb-e-Islami militant group on Wednesday in a move the government hopes could lead to a full peace accord with one of the most notorious warlords in the insurgency. Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is a veteran of decades of Afghan war and rights groups have accused his group of widespread abuses, particularly during the civil war of the early 1990s, when he briefly served as prime minister.The United States has also linked the group to al Qaeda and the Taliban and put Hekmatyar on its designated terrorist list.

Russia and U. S. agree to emergency aid drop if Assad does not open access to townstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c85ec9f1970b2016-05-18T14:17:56-04:002016-05-18T14:17:56-04:00The New York Times reports Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov, said on Tuesday that if President Bashar al-Assad of Syria continues to block access of humanitarian aid to besieged cities and towns, they were prepared to help the World Food Program airdrop food and emergency supplies. The very fact that they had to threaten the airdrops — which are expensive and often inaccurate — amounted to an admission of how little progress has been made in achieving either the lasting cease-fire or the regular humanitarian relief that European and Arab nations, along with...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov, said on Tuesday that if President Bashar al-Assad of Syria continues to block access of humanitarian aid to besieged cities and towns, they were prepared to help the World Food Program airdrop food and emergency supplies. The very fact that they had to threaten the airdrops — which are expensive and often inaccurate — amounted to an admission of how little progress has been made in achieving either the lasting cease-fire or the regular humanitarian relief that European and Arab nations, along with Iran, laid out as the first steps toward a broader peace agreement.

Bombings in Baghdad kill more than 70tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb090141b6970d2016-05-17T14:54:11-04:002016-05-17T14:54:22-04:00Al Jazeera reports three bombings in Baghdad have killed at least 70 people and wounded more than 100, police and medical sources say, continuing a deadly spate of attacks in the Iraqi capital. A suicide bombing on Tuesday in a marketplace in the northern, mainly Shia district of al-Shaab killed 38 people and wounded over 70, while a car bomb in the nearby Sadr City left at least 19 more dead and 17 wounded. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group claimed responsibility of the al-Shaab attack, which it said was carried out...Georgetown CNSL

Al Jazeera reports three bombings in Baghdad have killed at least 70 people and wounded more than 100, police and medical sources say, continuing a deadly spate of attacks in the Iraqi capital. A suicide bombing on Tuesday in a marketplace in the northern, mainly Shia district of al-Shaab killed 38 people and wounded over 70, while a car bomb in the nearby Sadr City left at least 19 more dead and 17 wounded. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group claimed responsibility of the al-Shaab attack, which it said was carried out by a man identified as Abu Khattab al-Iraqi.

World powers express support for faltering Syrian trucetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb0901414b970d2016-05-17T14:52:11-04:002016-05-17T14:52:11-04:00BBC News reports world powers have agreed to try to turn the crumbling partial truce in Syria into a more comprehensive ceasefire. The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) warned that the unravelling of the 11-week cessation of hostilities could lead to a return to all-out war. Those persistently breaching the truce could be excluded from it. The ISSG also said that from June the UN would begin air drops of aid for all areas in need if ground access to besieged areas continued to be denied. Diplomats want to encourage the opposition to resume indirect negotiations on a political settlement...Georgetown CNSL

BBC News reports world powers have agreed to try to turn the crumbling partial truce in Syria into a more comprehensive ceasefire. The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) warned that the unravelling of the 11-week cessation of hostilities could lead to a return to all-out war. Those persistently breaching the truce could be excluded from it. The ISSG also said that from June the UN would begin air drops of aid for all areas in need if ground access to besieged areas continued to be denied. Diplomats want to encourage the opposition to resume indirect negotiations on a political settlement to end the five-year conflict, which has killed more than 250,000 people.

Libya's internal politics makes sending arms to fight Islamic State difficulttag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb090140d4970d2016-05-17T14:50:03-04:002016-05-17T14:50:03-04:00The Washington Post reports the top U.S. general overseeing American military operations in Africa said Tuesday that while Washington is considering sending weapons to Libya to fight the Islamic State, doing so will require taking cues from a fledgling unity government that is still struggling to establish support at home. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the chief of U.S. Africa Command, told a handful of reporters here that Libya’s internal politics still make it difficult to determine which armed groups are aligning themselves with the Government of National Accord, an interim group that has backing from the United Nations. The...Georgetown CNSL

The Washington Post reports the top U.S. general overseeing American military operations in Africa said Tuesday that while Washington is considering sending weapons to Libya to fight the Islamic State, doing so will require taking cues from a fledgling unity government that is still struggling to establish support at home. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the chief of U.S. Africa Command, told a handful of reporters here that Libya’s internal politics still make it difficult to determine which armed groups are aligning themselves with the Government of National Accord, an interim group that has backing from the United Nations. The militias would be called on to play a key role in stopping the spread of the Islamic State, which took hold in Libya in November 2014.

Chile requests extradition from U.S. of three former agents suspected of working with dictatorshiptag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb09014072970d2016-05-17T14:47:46-04:002016-05-17T14:47:46-04:00Reuters reports Chile's Supreme Court asked the United States on Tuesday to extradite three former agents who worked for Augusto Pinochet's 1973-90 military dictatorship and are suspected of the murder of a United Nations diplomat 40 years ago. In a unanimous verdict, the court asked that the United States hand over Chilean Armando Fernandez Larios, American Michael Townley and Cuban Virgilio Paz. All three are wanted in Chile for the detention, torture, and killing of Spanish-Chilean citizen Carmelo Soria on July 14, 1976.Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports Chile's Supreme Court asked the United States on Tuesday to extradite three former agents who worked for Augusto Pinochet's 1973-90 military dictatorship and are suspected of the murder of a United Nations diplomat 40 years ago. In a unanimous verdict, the court asked that the United States hand over Chilean Armando Fernandez Larios, American Michael Townley and Cuban Virgilio Paz. All three are wanted in Chile for the detention, torture, and killing of Spanish-Chilean citizen Carmelo Soria on July 14, 1976.

China reviewing U.S. tech companies to see if they pose security threat to Chinatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e787a5970c2016-05-17T14:45:19-04:002016-05-17T14:45:19-04:00The New York Times reports Chinese authorities are quietly scrutinizing technology products sold in China by Apple and other big foreign companies, focusing on whether they pose potential security threats to the country and its consumers and opening up a new front in an already tense relationship with Washington over digital security. Apple and other companies in recent months have been subjected to reviews that target encryption and the data storage of tech products, said people briefed on the reviews who spoke on the condition of anonymity. In the reviews, Chinese officials require executives or employees of the foreign tech...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports Chinese authorities are quietly scrutinizing technology products sold in China by Apple and other big foreign companies, focusing on whether they pose potential security threats to the country and its consumers and opening up a new front in an already tense relationship with Washington over digital security. Apple and other companies in recent months have been subjected to reviews that target encryption and the data storage of tech products, said people briefed on the reviews who spoke on the condition of anonymity. In the reviews, Chinese officials require executives or employees of the foreign tech companies to answer questions about the products in person, according to these people.

Swedish Court sentences man to life-in-prison for role in Rwandan genocidetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb09006e9b970d2016-05-16T14:55:13-04:002016-05-16T14:55:13-04:00The New York Times reports a Swedish court convicted a 61-year-old man on Monday for taking part in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, and sentenced him to life in prison. The case was noteworthy for being part of a transnational effort to hold people accountable for crimes against humanity, no matter where those crimes occurred. The Stockholm District Court found that the man, Claver Berinkindi, a Rwandan who obtained Swedish citizenship in 2012, had participated in five massacres between April 18 and May 31, 1994. In the hills of Nyamure, he rallied people to participate in the killing of thousands...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports a Swedish court convicted a 61-year-old man on Monday for taking part in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, and sentenced him to life in prison. The case was noteworthy for being part of a transnational effort to hold people accountable for crimes against humanity, no matter where those crimes occurred. The Stockholm District Court found that the man, Claver Berinkindi, a Rwandan who obtained Swedish citizenship in 2012, had participated in five massacres between April 18 and May 31, 1994. In the hills of Nyamure, he rallied people to participate in the killing of thousands of civilians. He was also involved in the deaths of hundreds of people who had sought refuge in a municipal building in the town of Muyira and in an adjacent adult education center. Trapped in the compound, hundreds of people were massacred.

Ex-CIA agent says Nelson Mandela arrested as a result of CIA tip-offtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c85cdd1f970b2016-05-16T14:52:45-04:002016-05-16T14:52:45-04:00BBC News reports Nelson Mandela's arrest in 1962 came as a result of a tip-off from an agent of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a report says. The revelations, made in the Sunday Times newspaper, are based on an interview with ex-CIA agent Donald Rickard shortly before he died. Mandela served 27 years in jail for resisting white minority rule before being released in 1990. He was subsequently elected as South Africa's first black president. Rickard, who died earlier this year, was never formally associated with the CIA but worked as a diplomat in South Africa before retiring in the...Georgetown CNSL

BBC News reports Nelson Mandela's arrest in 1962 came as a result of a tip-off from an agent of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a report says. The revelations, made in the Sunday Times newspaper, are based on an interview with ex-CIA agent Donald Rickard shortly before he died. Mandela served 27 years in jail for resisting white minority rule before being released in 1990. He was subsequently elected as South Africa's first black president. Rickard, who died earlier this year, was never formally associated with the CIA but worked as a diplomat in South Africa before retiring in the late 70s.

U.S. and allies considering deal to arm and train new Libyan government forcestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e6ad17970c2016-05-16T14:48:46-04:002016-05-16T14:48:46-04:00The Washington Post reports diplomats from 25 countries and international organizations, including the United States, said Monday they are considering arming and training the new unity government in Libya so it can fight the spread of terrorist groups in the country and counter the smuggling of migrants to Europe. In a joint communique following a lengthy meeting on ways to rein in chaos in Libya, the diplomats said they would support Libya’s request to be exempted from a United Nations embargo that was put in place five years ago to keep arms out of the hands of Islamist militants and...Georgetown CNSL

The Washington Post reports diplomats from 25 countries and international organizations, including the United States, said Monday they are considering arming and training the new unity government in Libya so it can fight the spread of terrorist groups in the country and counter the smuggling of migrants to Europe. In a joint communique following a lengthy meeting on ways to rein in chaos in Libya, the diplomats said they would support Libya’s request to be exempted from a United Nations embargo that was put in place five years ago to keep arms out of the hands of Islamist militants and rival militias locked in a power struggle.

Islamic State exploiting chaos in Yementag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb09006d9d970d2016-05-16T14:44:10-04:002016-05-16T14:44:10-04:00Reuters reports Islamic State efforts to exploit chaos may have brought Saudi-backed forces and Iran-allied Houthis tentatively closer at peace talks in Yemen's civil war, but a deal seems unlikely in time to avert collapse into armed, feuding statelets. Ferocious conflict along Yemen's northern border between Saudi Arabia and Iran-allied Ansurallah, a Shi'ite Muslim revival movement also called the Houthis, defied two previous attempts to seal a peace. But a truce this year and prisoner exchanges mean hopes for a third round of talks are higher. The threat from an emerging common enemy may be galvanizing their efforts. Islamic State...Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports Islamic State efforts to exploit chaos may have brought Saudi-backed forces and Iran-allied Houthis tentatively closer at peace talks in Yemen's civil war, but a deal seems unlikely in time to avert collapse into armed, feuding statelets. Ferocious conflict along Yemen's northern border between Saudi Arabia and Iran-allied Ansurallah, a Shi'ite Muslim revival movement also called the Houthis, defied two previous attempts to seal a peace. But a truce this year and prisoner exchanges mean hopes for a third round of talks are higher. The threat from an emerging common enemy may be galvanizing their efforts. Islamic State appears to be behind a dizzying uptick in suicide attacks and al-Qaeda fighters continue to hold sway over broad swathes of the country that abuts Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter.

Colombian goverment and FARC reach deal to release child soldierstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c85cdbed970b2016-05-16T14:41:11-04:002016-05-16T14:41:11-04:00The New York Times reports the Colombian government and the country’s largest rebel group announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement to release child soldiers from rebel custody, an important step in peace negotiations, which are in their final stages. The deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, could involve hundreds of children who were recruited to fight in Colombia’s long civil war, though no census of child soldiers has ever been taken. “One of the biggest horrors of a conflict is when we drag our children and young people into combat,” said Humberto...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports the Colombian government and the country’s largest rebel group announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement to release child soldiers from rebel custody, an important step in peace negotiations, which are in their final stages. The deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, could involve hundreds of children who were recruited to fight in Colombia’s long civil war, though no census of child soldiers has ever been taken. “One of the biggest horrors of a conflict is when we drag our children and young people into combat,” said Humberto de la Calle, a chief government negotiator.

British jets intercept Russian aircraft near Baltic Statestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e36585970c2016-05-12T14:02:29-04:002016-05-12T14:03:02-04:00Reuters reports British Typhoon fighter jets have intercepted three Russian military transport aircraft approaching the Baltic States, the defense ministry said on Thursday. The British fighters, scrambled from the Amari air base in Estonia, intercepted the Russian aircraft, which were not transmitting a recognized identification code and were unresponsive, the ministry said. "We were able to instantly respond to this act of Russian aggression - demonstration of our commitment to NATO’s collective defense," Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said in a statement.Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports British Typhoon fighter jets have intercepted three Russian military transport aircraft approaching the Baltic States, the defense ministry said on Thursday. The British fighters, scrambled from the Amari air base in Estonia, intercepted the Russian aircraft, which were not transmitting a recognized identification code and were unresponsive, the ministry said. "We were able to instantly respond to this act of Russian aggression - demonstration of our commitment to NATO’s collective defense," Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said in a statement.

Kenyan government to expel Somali refugees, citing terrorism concernstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e364fe970c2016-05-12T13:59:07-04:002016-05-12T13:59:07-04:00The New York Times reports the Kenyan government has announced that it plans to expel hundreds of thousands of refugees, a move that aid agencies say would violate international law and endanger many people. For years, Kenya has threatened to shut down the Dadaab refugee camp, where hundreds of thousands of Somalis have been marooned for decades. A sea of tents and plastic shelters spread out across miles of desert near the border with Somalia, the camp has become essentially one of Kenya’s largest cities. On Wednesday, the Kenyan government said that terrorists were using Dadaab as a hide-out.Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports the Kenyan government has announced that it plans to expel hundreds of thousands of refugees, a move that aid agencies say would violate international law and endanger many people. For years, Kenya has threatened to shut down the Dadaab refugee camp, where hundreds of thousands of Somalis have been marooned for decades. A sea of tents and plastic shelters spread out across miles of desert near the border with Somalia, the camp has become essentially one of Kenya’s largest cities. On Wednesday, the Kenyan government said that terrorists were using Dadaab as a hide-out.

FBI Director says investigation into Clinton's e-mails will not be tied to election deadlinestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08fd2bf3970d2016-05-12T13:55:42-04:002016-05-12T13:55:42-04:00Politico reports FBI Director James Comey said Wednesday he feels "pressure" to complete the federal investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's private e-mail server competently and quickly. However, Comey said the pressure is similar to other high-profile cases the bureau handles such as terrorism investigations. Comey indicated he's not taking into account political events, including the upcoming conventions or the fall election. "I don't tether to any external deadline," the FBI chief said.Georgetown CNSL

Politico reports FBI Director James Comey said Wednesday he feels "pressure" to complete the federal investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's private e-mail server competently and quickly. However, Comey said the pressure is similar to other high-profile cases the bureau handles such as terrorism investigations. Comey indicated he's not taking into account political events, including the upcoming conventions or the fall election. "I don't tether to any external deadline," the FBI chief said.

Russian and Syrian planes bomb Aleppo as Syrian truce endstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e363c8970c2016-05-12T13:51:37-04:002016-05-12T13:51:37-04:00Al Jazeera reports Syrian and Russian air strikes have targeted rebel-held areas in Aleppo province, killing and injuring several people, as rebels captured a village in Homs province, monitoring group says. The regime warplanes aided by Russian fighters targeted several neighbourhoods in Aleppo city, sources told Al Jazeera on Thursday. No information on casualties was available, but sources said several people were killed and injured. Warplanes targeted al-Zahraa and al-Maysar shortly after the truce ended at midnight on Wednesday, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday.Georgetown CNSL

Al Jazeera reports Syrian and Russian air strikes have targeted rebel-held areas in Aleppo province, killing and injuring several people, as rebels captured a village in Homs province, monitoring group says. The regime warplanes aided by Russian fighters targeted several neighbourhoods in Aleppo city, sources told Al Jazeera on Thursday. No information on casualties was available, but sources said several people were killed and injured. Warplanes targeted al-Zahraa and al-Maysar shortly after the truce ended at midnight on Wednesday, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday.

U.S. gives go-ahead to U. N. peacekeepers to use force to protect civilianstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e36389970c2016-05-12T13:49:08-04:002016-05-12T13:49:08-04:00The Associated Press reports the United States on Wednesday pledged to support a set of principles that give a green light for U.N. peacekeeping troops and police to use force to protect civilians in armed conflicts. U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power made the announcement at a high-level U.N. meeting focusing on the responsibility to protect civilians facing violence, saying the United States was "proud" and "humbled" to be joining 28 other countries that have signed on to the Kigali Principles. Peacekeepers from the 29 countries in missions that have a U.N. Security Council mandate to protect civilians are now authorized to...Georgetown CNSL

The Associated Press reports the United States on Wednesday pledged to support a set of principles that give a green light for U.N. peacekeeping troops and police to use force to protect civilians in armed conflicts. U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power made the announcement at a high-level U.N. meeting focusing on the responsibility to protect civilians facing violence, saying the United States was "proud" and "humbled" to be joining 28 other countries that have signed on to the Kigali Principles. Peacekeepers from the 29 countries in missions that have a U.N. Security Council mandate to protect civilians are now authorized to take "direct military action against armed actors with clear hostile intent to harm civilians" - and their commanders can authorize force "in urgent situations" without consulting their capitals.

U.S. activation of missile shield in Romania angers Russiatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e3633e970c2016-05-12T13:46:09-04:002016-05-12T13:46:09-04:00BBC News reports the US has activated a land-based missile defense station in Romania, which will form part of a larger and controversial European shield. Senior US and NATO officials attended the ceremony in Deveselu, southern Romania. The US says the Aegis system is a shield to protect NATO countries from short and medium-range missiles, particularly from the Middle East. But Russia sees it as a security threat - a claim denied by NATO. Relations between the West and Russia have deteriorated since Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula in 2014.Georgetown CNSL

BBC News reports the US has activated a land-based missile defense station in Romania, which will form part of a larger and controversial European shield. Senior US and NATO officials attended the ceremony in Deveselu, southern Romania. The US says the Aegis system is a shield to protect NATO countries from short and medium-range missiles, particularly from the Middle East. But Russia sees it as a security threat - a claim denied by NATO. Relations between the West and Russia have deteriorated since Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula in 2014.

Saudi Arabia threatens to send troop to Sanaa if peace talk failtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e362c9970c2016-05-12T13:42:49-04:002016-05-12T13:42:49-04:00The Washington Post reports Saudi Arabia will send troops into Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, if peace talks between the Saudi-backed government and Shiite rebels fail, a military spokesman said Wednesday, raising the specter of extended conflict. Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri, a spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition that has been fighting Houthi rebel forces since last year, said that Saudi Arabia hoped that peace talks in Kuwait, already strained by ongoing violence on the ground, would succeed. “If not, … today we have troops around the capital, and we will get in, because the goal should be achieved, the goal...Georgetown CNSL

The Washington Post reports Saudi Arabia will send troops into Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, if peace talks between the Saudi-backed government and Shiite rebels fail, a military spokesman said Wednesday, raising the specter of extended conflict. Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri, a spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition that has been fighting Houthi rebel forces since last year, said that Saudi Arabia hoped that peace talks in Kuwait, already strained by ongoing violence on the ground, would succeed. “If not, … today we have troops around the capital, and we will get in, because the goal should be achieved, the goal which is securing Yemen,” Asiri told reporters during a visit to Washington.

European leaders say Turkey still has adjust policies to gain visa-free traveltag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e36268970c2016-05-12T13:39:59-04:002016-05-12T13:39:59-04:00Reuters reports it is up to Turkey to fulfill the 72 criteria that the European Union has set out if it wants the bloc to grant it visa-free travel, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday. Earlier, Ankara's minister for EU affairs said Turkey believed it had fulfilled all the criteria, adding that it was unacceptable if the deal was postponed unfairly. But Steinmeier, speaking at a conference on Europe in the German foreign ministry, said Turkey must change anti-terror statutes which could give rise to the pursuit of journalists.Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports it is up to Turkey to fulfill the 72 criteria that the European Union has set out if it wants the bloc to grant it visa-free travel, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Thursday. Earlier, Ankara's minister for EU affairs said Turkey believed it had fulfilled all the criteria, adding that it was unacceptable if the deal was postponed unfairly. But Steinmeier, speaking at a conference on Europe in the German foreign ministry, said Turkey must change anti-terror statutes which could give rise to the pursuit of journalists.

As coalition forces get closer to Islamic State strongholds, U.S. must create plan for Islamic State prisonerstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e3621c970c2016-05-12T13:36:43-04:002016-05-12T13:36:43-04:00The New York Times reports the Islamic State calls them “inghimasi” — zealous foot soldiers who intend to fight to their deaths. And as the American-backed coalition has reclaimed territory from the group in Iraq and Syria, that fervor has kept prisoners from being much of a problem: The shooting only stops when almost every Islamic State fighter has been killed. But that could change as the coalition moves toward the Islamic State’s largest urban strongholds — Mosul, Iraq, and Raqqa, Syria — raising a potential problem for the United States. If the coalition is successful and thousands of ordinary...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports the Islamic State calls them “inghimasi” — zealous foot soldiers who intend to fight to their deaths. And as the American-backed coalition has reclaimed territory from the group in Iraq and Syria, that fervor has kept prisoners from being much of a problem: The shooting only stops when almost every Islamic State fighter has been killed. But that could change as the coalition moves toward the Islamic State’s largest urban strongholds — Mosul, Iraq, and Raqqa, Syria — raising a potential problem for the United States. If the coalition is successful and thousands of ordinary members of a collapsing Islamic State have nowhere left to retreat, will they start to surrender in greater numbers? And if so, who will be responsible for imprisoning them?

Obama will be first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshimatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08fb9f97970d2016-05-10T14:56:13-04:002016-05-10T14:56:13-04:00The Associated Press reports in a moment seven decades in the making, President Barack Obama this month will become the first sitting American president to visit Hiroshima, where the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb during World War II, decimating a city and exploding the world into the Atomic Age. Obama will visit the site with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a previously scheduled trip to Japan, the White House announced Tuesday. The president intends to "highlight his continued commitment to pursuing the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.Georgetown CNSL

The Associated Press reports in a moment seven decades in the making, President Barack Obama this month will become the first sitting American president to visit Hiroshima, where the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb during World War II, decimating a city and exploding the world into the Atomic Age. Obama will visit the site with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a previously scheduled trip to Japan, the White House announced Tuesday. The president intends to "highlight his continued commitment to pursuing the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

U.N. expresses concerns about Turkish human rights violations against Kurdstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08fb9f70970d2016-05-10T14:55:01-04:002016-05-10T14:55:01-04:00BBC News reports a top UN official has voiced alarm about violence against civilians by Turkish government forces in Kurdish-majority south-eastern Turkey. The UN says it has reports that more than 100 people were burned to death while sheltering in basements in Cizre. UN Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Raad al-Hussein urged Turkey to grant the UN unimpeded access to the affected areas. As the report came out, Kurdish rebels were blamed for a bombing that left three people dead and 45 injured. The car bomb attack targeted a police bus in the Baglar district of Diyarbakir, Turkish media reported, quoting...Georgetown CNSL

BBC News reports a top UN official has voiced alarm about violence against civilians by Turkish government forces in Kurdish-majority south-eastern Turkey. The UN says it has reports that more than 100 people were burned to death while sheltering in basements in Cizre. UN Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Raad al-Hussein urged Turkey to grant the UN unimpeded access to the affected areas. As the report came out, Kurdish rebels were blamed for a bombing that left three people dead and 45 injured. The car bomb attack targeted a police bus in the Baglar district of Diyarbakir, Turkish media reported, quoting local officials.

Russian air-defense system delivered to Irantag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08fb9f03970d2016-05-10T14:53:16-04:002016-05-10T14:53:16-04:00The Washington Post reports Iran’s defense minister on Tuesday announced the delivery of a powerful S-300 air-defense missile system from Russia as part of an arms deal that was revived after the Islamic republic reached a framework nuclear agreement with world powers last year. Iranian Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan said at least one S-300 system, often compared to the U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missile system, has been delivered to the Khatam al-Anbiya base, Iranian state news agencies reported. Russian officials have said they plan to deliver at least four of the missile defense systems by the end of the year.Georgetown CNSL

The Washington Post reports Iran’s defense minister on Tuesday announced the delivery of a powerful S-300 air-defense missile system from Russia as part of an arms deal that was revived after the Islamic republic reached a framework nuclear agreement with world powers last year. Iranian Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan said at least one S-300 system, often compared to the U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missile system, has been delivered to the Khatam al-Anbiya base, Iranian state news agencies reported. Russian officials have said they plan to deliver at least four of the missile defense systems by the end of the year.

Islamic State shoots down Syrian Army helicoptertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08fb9ebc970d2016-05-10T14:51:16-04:002016-05-10T14:51:16-04:00Reuters reports the Islamic State said on Tuesday it had downed a Syrian army helicopter in a desert area of central Syria where heavy fighting is going on, the militant group and a monitor said. Amaq, a news agency associated with Islamic State, said the helicopter was shot down near in the Palmyra desert between Homs and Palmyra city. The Syrian army has not commented on the report but had earlier said its war planes pounded Islamic State defenses in the area and hit their convoys in the vicinity of the Shaer gas field, north of Huweisis, which the militants...Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports the Islamic State said on Tuesday it had downed a Syrian army helicopter in a desert area of central Syria where heavy fighting is going on, the militant group and a monitor said. Amaq, a news agency associated with Islamic State, said the helicopter was shot down near in the Palmyra desert between Homs and Palmyra city. The Syrian army has not commented on the report but had earlier said its war planes pounded Islamic State defenses in the area and hit their convoys in the vicinity of the Shaer gas field, north of Huweisis, which the militants took over last Thursday.

U.S. warship sails near island built by China to demonstrate opposition to China's policy in South China Seastag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c85805de970b2016-05-10T13:32:45-04:002016-05-10T13:32:45-04:00The New York Times reports an American warship sailed on Tuesday within 12 miles of an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea, an operation intended to show that the United States opposes China’s efforts to restrict navigation in the strategic waterway, the Pentagon said. The warship, the William P. Lawrence, a guided missile destroyer, ventured into the vicinity of Fiery Cross Reef, a 700-acre artificial island China constructed in the last 18 months on top of two small rocks.Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports an American warship sailed on Tuesday within 12 miles of an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea, an operation intended to show that the United States opposes China’s efforts to restrict navigation in the strategic waterway, the Pentagon said. The warship, the William P. Lawrence, a guided missile destroyer, ventured into the vicinity of Fiery Cross Reef, a 700-acre artificial island China constructed in the last 18 months on top of two small rocks.

Iraqi forces re-take village near Mosul from Islamic Statetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c8572838970b2016-05-09T14:43:13-04:002016-05-09T14:43:13-04:00Reuters reports Iraqi forces retook a northern village from Islamic State on Monday, supported by artillery and air strikes from a U.S.-led coalition, as they try to close in on the city of Mosul. In March, Iraq's military opened a new front against the militants in the Makhmour area, which it called the first phase of a wider campaign to liberate Mosul, around 60 km (40 miles) further north. But progress has been slow, and to date Iraqi forces have taken just five villages. "In a swift operation, our units took the groups of the terrorist organization Daesh by surprise...Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports Iraqi forces retook a northern village from Islamic State on Monday, supported by artillery and air strikes from a U.S.-led coalition, as they try to close in on the city of Mosul. In March, Iraq's military opened a new front against the militants in the Makhmour area, which it called the first phase of a wider campaign to liberate Mosul, around 60 km (40 miles) further north. But progress has been slow, and to date Iraqi forces have taken just five villages. "In a swift operation, our units took the groups of the terrorist organization Daesh by surprise and entered the village," read a statement from the Nineveh Operations Command, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

Muslim scholars and imams wage theological battle against Islamic Statetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c85727bc970b2016-05-09T14:40:13-04:002016-05-09T14:40:13-04:00The New York Times reports as the military and political battle against the Islamic State escalates, Muslim imams and scholars in the West are fighting on another front — through theology. Imam Suhaib Webb, a Muslim leader in Washington, has held live monthly video chats to refute the religious claims of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. In a dig at the extremists, he broadcast from ice cream parlors and called his talks “ISIS and ice cream.” Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, an American Muslim scholar based in Berkeley, Calif., has pleaded with Muslims not to be deceived by...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports as the military and political battle against the Islamic State escalates, Muslim imams and scholars in the West are fighting on another front — through theology. Imam Suhaib Webb, a Muslim leader in Washington, has held live monthly video chats to refute the religious claims of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. In a dig at the extremists, he broadcast from ice cream parlors and called his talks “ISIS and ice cream.” Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, an American Muslim scholar based in Berkeley, Calif., has pleaded with Muslims not to be deceived by the “stupid young boys” of the Islamic State.

North Korea pledges not to use nuclear weapons unless sovereignty is violatedtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1e0ec3a970c2016-05-09T14:37:49-04:002016-05-09T14:37:49-04:00NPR reports at a rare political event in Pyongyang, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un told party members that the country would not carry out a nuclear strike unless its sovereignty is violated. This comes after the country has carried out a series of provocative weapons tests. During his remarks at the Workers Party Conference, Kim vowed to push forward with nuclear development despite international pressure. NPR's Elise Hu tells our Newscast unit that this is "the highest level political convening in North Korea and the first of its kind since 1980."Georgetown CNSL

NPR reports at a rare political event in Pyongyang, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un told party members that the country would not carry out a nuclear strike unless its sovereignty is violated. This comes after the country has carried out a series of provocative weapons tests. During his remarks at the Workers Party Conference, Kim vowed to push forward with nuclear development despite international pressure. NPR's Elise Hu tells our Newscast unit that this is "the highest level political convening in North Korea and the first of its kind since 1980."

Turkish special forces carry out mission in Syriatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08fab4b3970d2016-05-09T14:32:24-04:002016-05-09T14:32:24-04:00Al Jazeera reports the Turkish government has made the unusual move of confirming that its special forces entered Syria on Saturday, on what it called a "reconnaissance mission." Al Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Gaziantep near the Turkish-Syrian border, said it was highly unusual for the Turkish government to announce a special forces operation conducted outside the country's borders. "Perhaps they were trying to give a message by announcing something so secretive," she said. She said the operation was probably an attempt to stop the almost daily attacks on Kilis, a Turkish border province which has been hit by rockets...Georgetown CNSL

Al Jazeera reports the Turkish government has made the unusual move of confirming that its special forces entered Syria on Saturday, on what it called a "reconnaissance mission." Al Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Gaziantep near the Turkish-Syrian border, said it was highly unusual for the Turkish government to announce a special forces operation conducted outside the country's borders. "Perhaps they were trying to give a message by announcing something so secretive," she said. She said the operation was probably an attempt to stop the almost daily attacks on Kilis, a Turkish border province which has been hit by rockets from areas in Syria controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

Deal between inmate and Syrian government ends prison mutinytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08fab31b970d2016-05-09T14:20:43-04:002016-05-09T14:20:43-04:00BBC News reports a deal is reported to have been reached to end a mutiny at a prison in Syria by hundreds of mostly political detainees. Sheikh Nawwaf al-Melhem, a leader of the officially-tolerated opposition People's Party, told the BBC he had brokered an agreement between the state and inmates at Hama Central Prison. The prison's power and water supplies had now been restored, he said. Interior Minister Mohammed Shaar said the situation at the prison was normal and denied there had been any disorder.Georgetown CNSL

BBC News reports a deal is reported to have been reached to end a mutiny at a prison in Syria by hundreds of mostly political detainees. Sheikh Nawwaf al-Melhem, a leader of the officially-tolerated opposition People's Party, told the BBC he had brokered an agreement between the state and inmates at Hama Central Prison. The prison's power and water supplies had now been restored, he said. Interior Minister Mohammed Shaar said the situation at the prison was normal and denied there had been any disorder.

Army unit fighting in Afghanistan in Octobe lacked proper mapstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08fab2bf970d2016-05-09T14:18:43-04:002016-05-09T14:18:43-04:00The Washington Post reports the Army Special Forces unit that fought its way into the Afghan city of Kunduz after it was seized by the Taliban in October initially did so without proper maps, according to recently declassified documents. The documents, released last month, were part of a heavily redacted report on the Oct. 3, 2015, bombing of a Doctors Without Borders hospital that killed between 30 and 42 civilians. The investigation, aside from piecing together why an American AC-130U gunship targeted and destroyed a medical facility, revealed a host of issues that beset a small team of Army Special...Georgetown CNSL

The Washington Post reports the Army Special Forces unit that fought its way into the Afghan city of Kunduz after it was seized by the Taliban in October initially did so without proper maps, according to recently declassified documents. The documents, released last month, were part of a heavily redacted report on the Oct. 3, 2015, bombing of a Doctors Without Borders hospital that killed between 30 and 42 civilians. The investigation, aside from piecing together why an American AC-130U gunship targeted and destroyed a medical facility, revealed a host of issues that beset a small team of Army Special Forces soldiers and their Afghan counterparts as they pushed into a city held by a large Taliban force

Saudi Arabia pledges to maintain ceasefire despite intercepting ballistic missile from Yementag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c8572472970b2016-05-09T14:14:16-04:002016-05-09T14:14:16-04:00Reuters reports Saudi air defense forces on Monday intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Yemen, but the Saudi-led coalition said it would maintain a ceasefire despite what it sees as a violation of it by the Houthi militia, Saudi state news agency SPA reported. The Iran-allied Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed exiled government are trying to broker a peace agreement in talks in Kuwait and ease a humanitarian crisis in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country.Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports Saudi air defense forces on Monday intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Yemen, but the Saudi-led coalition said it would maintain a ceasefire despite what it sees as a violation of it by the Houthi militia, Saudi state news agency SPA reported. The Iran-allied Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed exiled government are trying to broker a peace agreement in talks in Kuwait and ease a humanitarian crisis in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country.

Mexican judge rules that El Chapo can be extradited to the United Statestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08fab0a3970d2016-05-09T13:59:53-04:002016-05-09T13:59:53-04:00The New York Times reports a Mexican judge has ruled that Mexico’s most notorious drug lord, Joaquín Guzmán Loera , can be extradited to the United States, where he would face federal charges of drug trafficking and far slimmer chances of escaping prison, as he has done twice in his home country. The ruling essentially creates the basis for the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Mexico to grant the final approval for the extradition of Guzmán within the next 30 days. “The ball is now in the Foreign Ministry’s court and they have a month to execute the process or...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports a Mexican judge has ruled that Mexico’s most notorious drug lord, Joaquín Guzmán Loera , can be extradited to the United States, where he would face federal charges of drug trafficking and far slimmer chances of escaping prison, as he has done twice in his home country. The ruling essentially creates the basis for the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Mexico to grant the final approval for the extradition of Guzmán within the next 30 days. “The ball is now in the Foreign Ministry’s court and they have a month to execute the process or not,” said a spokesman for the judiciary in Mexico. “They have been notified and received the file.”

Coaition members pledge to step up efforts against Islamic Statetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1dc9051970c2016-05-04T14:53:18-04:002016-05-04T14:53:18-04:00The Associated Press reports an international coalition leading the military campaign against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq agreed Wednesday to accelerate their contributions but did not publicly specify what those would be. The group also called on Iraqi leaders to reconcile political differences. A day after a U.S. Navy SEAL was killed in small arms fire with IS forces, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said that as the war intensifies, "these risks will continue."Georgetown CNSL

The Associated Press reports an international coalition leading the military campaign against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq agreed Wednesday to accelerate their contributions but did not publicly specify what those would be. The group also called on Iraqi leaders to reconcile political differences. A day after a U.S. Navy SEAL was killed in small arms fire with IS forces, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said that as the war intensifies, "these risks will continue."

EU to reach deal on visas for Turkish citizenstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08f66420970d2016-05-04T14:50:22-04:002016-05-04T14:50:22-04:00BBC News reports the European Commission has given conditional backing for Turkish people to get visa-free travel inside Europe's passport-free Schengen area. It says Turkey has made good progress on key conditions, but work remains to be done "as a matter of urgency." The change could take effect from July, but first it requires approval by the European Parliament and member states. The deal was offered in return for Turkey taking back migrants who crossed the Aegean Sea to Greece. The EU fears that without it, Turkey will not control migration.Georgetown CNSL

BBC News reports the European Commission has given conditional backing for Turkish people to get visa-free travel inside Europe's passport-free Schengen area. It says Turkey has made good progress on key conditions, but work remains to be done "as a matter of urgency." The change could take effect from July, but first it requires approval by the European Parliament and member states. The deal was offered in return for Turkey taking back migrants who crossed the Aegean Sea to Greece. The EU fears that without it, Turkey will not control migration.

U.S. and Russian officials to monitor Syrian ceasefire togethertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c852bec8970b2016-05-04T14:46:44-04:002016-05-04T14:46:44-04:00The Washington Post reports U.S. and Russian military officials will sit in the same room 24 hours a day and jointly pore over maps and intelligence to monitor cease-fire violations in Syria under a new system they hope will save a fast-collapsing truce, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Tuesday. Under the new arrangement, which Kerry said could be finalized by Wednesday, lines will be drawn in and around Aleppo, scene of the heaviest recent fighting, to prevent new incursions or attacks from any party in the Syrian civil war.Georgetown CNSL

The Washington Post reports U.S. and Russian military officials will sit in the same room 24 hours a day and jointly pore over maps and intelligence to monitor cease-fire violations in Syria under a new system they hope will save a fast-collapsing truce, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Tuesday. Under the new arrangement, which Kerry said could be finalized by Wednesday, lines will be drawn in and around Aleppo, scene of the heaviest recent fighting, to prevent new incursions or attacks from any party in the Syrian civil war.

NATO gives Israel non-member representation at headquarterstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08f66353970d2016-05-04T14:43:27-04:002016-05-04T14:43:27-04:00Reuters reports NATO said on Wednesday it had agreed to non-member Israel setting up representation at its Brussels headquarters, a tentative sign of rapprochement between the Jewish state and NATO member Turkey. Israel and Turkey have stepped up efforts to patch up a relationship badly damaged following an Israeli raid in 2010 on a Turkish boat, the Mavi Marmara, which had been trying to breach a blockade on the Gaza Strip.Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports NATO said on Wednesday it had agreed to non-member Israel setting up representation at its Brussels headquarters, a tentative sign of rapprochement between the Jewish state and NATO member Turkey. Israel and Turkey have stepped up efforts to patch up a relationship badly damaged following an Israeli raid in 2010 on a Turkish boat, the Mavi Marmara, which had been trying to breach a blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Afghanistan's bountiful opium harvesst will provide further fuel for Taliban insurgencytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08f662bb970d2016-05-04T14:39:12-04:002016-05-04T14:39:12-04:00The New York Times reports as the opium harvest winds down across Helmand Province, Afghanistan’s largest in territory and poppy cultivation, farmers and officials are reporting high yields. The skies were generous with heavy rainfall, and the Afghan government with its cancellation of annual eradication campaigns. It had lost much of the territory in Helmand to the Taliban anyway. So it was with peace of mind that farmers, and thousands of seasonal laborers who had traveled to Helmand, scraped the gum from the opium bulbs. Taliban fighters were just around the corner to lend a hand — and to receive...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports as the opium harvest winds down across Helmand Province, Afghanistan’s largest in territory and poppy cultivation, farmers and officials are reporting high yields. The skies were generous with heavy rainfall, and the Afghan government with its cancellation of annual eradication campaigns. It had lost much of the territory in Helmand to the Taliban anyway. So it was with peace of mind that farmers, and thousands of seasonal laborers who had traveled to Helmand, scraped the gum from the opium bulbs. Taliban fighters were just around the corner to lend a hand — and to receive their share of wages and taxes, in cash or kind. The crowded fields amounted to an insurgent recruiter’s dream.

EU proposes reforms to asylum systemtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c851b35c970b2016-05-03T14:54:46-04:002016-05-03T14:54:46-04:00Reuters reports the European Union's executive will propose a reform of the bloc's asylum rules on Wednesday, EU sources said, that reflects caution in the face of deep divisions among governments about how to handle the migration crisis. The European Commission last month floated scrapping a rule in the so-called Dublin system that gives responsibility for handling asylum claims to the first EU state a person enters -- a rule that has placed heavy burdens on Greece and Italy. However, two sources said, it would now issue a legislative proposal retaining the "first country" principle while including a central scheme...Georgetown CNSL

Reuters reports the European Union's executive will propose a reform of the bloc's asylum rules on Wednesday, EU sources said, that reflects caution in the face of deep divisions among governments about how to handle the migration crisis. The European Commission last month floated scrapping a rule in the so-called Dublin system that gives responsibility for handling asylum claims to the first EU state a person enters -- a rule that has placed heavy burdens on Greece and Italy. However, two sources said, it would now issue a legislative proposal retaining the "first country" principle while including a central scheme to spread claimants around Europe to give the frontline states the chance to relocate asylum seekers to other EU countries if arrivals on their borders are too high.

Judge in Twitter says First Amendment does not give Twitter ability to reveal more details on surveillance orderstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08f55995970d2016-05-03T14:52:38-04:002016-05-03T14:52:38-04:00Politco reports a federal judge delivered a blow Monday to Twitter's drive to release more details on surveillance orders it receives, but the tech firm won a chance to try to reformulate its case. U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Rogers said the government has the power to prohibit the release of classified information, barring claims Twitter made in a lawsuit filed two years ago challenging as unconstitutional the limits federal officials have placed on publication of some statistics about surveillance demands. "The First Amendment does not permit a person subject to secrecy obligations to disclose classified national security information," Rogers...Georgetown CNSL

Politco reports a federal judge delivered a blow Monday to Twitter's drive to release more details on surveillance orders it receives, but the tech firm won a chance to try to reformulate its case. U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Rogers said the government has the power to prohibit the release of classified information, barring claims Twitter made in a lawsuit filed two years ago challenging as unconstitutional the limits federal officials have placed on publication of some statistics about surveillance demands. "The First Amendment does not permit a person subject to secrecy obligations to disclose classified national security information," Rogers wrote, citing a 1980 Supreme Court case about a former CIA analyst publishing the names of CIA personnel overseas.

Syrian regime may soon extend unilateral truce to Aleppotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c851af19970b2016-05-03T14:46:45-04:002016-05-03T14:46:45-04:00BBC News reports Russia's foreign minister says a unilateral truce declared by the Syrian military could be extended to the city of Aleppo "in the next few hours." Sergei Lavrov said Russia was working with the UN and US to include Aleppo in the "regime of calm" that has covered Damascus and Latakia since Saturday. But Lavrov warned that rebels would have to leave areas where allied jihadist militants were being targeted. More than 250 people have been killed in Aleppo in the past 10 days.Georgetown CNSL

BBC News reports Russia's foreign minister says a unilateral truce declared by the Syrian military could be extended to the city of Aleppo "in the next few hours." Sergei Lavrov said Russia was working with the UN and US to include Aleppo in the "regime of calm" that has covered Damascus and Latakia since Saturday. But Lavrov warned that rebels would have to leave areas where allied jihadist militants were being targeted. More than 250 people have been killed in Aleppo in the past 10 days.

Islamic State kills American serviceman in Iraqtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08f554f6970d2016-05-03T14:44:10-04:002016-05-03T14:44:10-04:00The Associated Press reports an American serviceman was killed in Iraq by fire from the Islamic State group during an attack on Iraqi Kurdish positions outside the IS-held city of Mosul on Tuesday morning. It was the third death of a U.S. service member in Iraq since the U.S.-led coalition launched its campaign against IS militants in the summer of 2014. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter first announced the death, speaking to reporters in Stuttgart, Germany, where he has been consulting with European allies this week on fighting the Islamic State group. Carter described it as a "combat death" but...Georgetown CNSL

The Associated Press reports an American serviceman was killed in Iraq by fire from the Islamic State group during an attack on Iraqi Kurdish positions outside the IS-held city of Mosul on Tuesday morning. It was the third death of a U.S. service member in Iraq since the U.S.-led coalition launched its campaign against IS militants in the summer of 2014. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter first announced the death, speaking to reporters in Stuttgart, Germany, where he has been consulting with European allies this week on fighting the Islamic State group. Carter described it as a "combat death" but provided no immediate details.

NATO considers placing additional troops near Russian border to deter aggresssiontag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401bb08f55367970d2016-05-03T14:39:32-04:002016-05-03T14:39:32-04:00The Washington Post reports NATO is considering placing thousands of additional troops in Poland and the Baltic states, Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said Monday, adding that any new forces in the region would be rotational and part of an effort to deter future Russian aggression. The Pentagon chief would not specify what countries would contribute troops but said the possible deployment is one of several options being weighed by the alliance. Any final decision to bolster troop levels in Europe will probably be made at a NATO summit in Warsaw this summer, he said.Georgetown CNSL

The Washington Post reports NATO is considering placing thousands of additional troops in Poland and the Baltic states, Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said Monday, adding that any new forces in the region would be rotational and part of an effort to deter future Russian aggression. The Pentagon chief would not specify what countries would contribute troops but said the possible deployment is one of several options being weighed by the alliance. Any final decision to bolster troop levels in Europe will probably be made at a NATO summit in Warsaw this summer, he said.

United Nations condemns attacks on hospitals in war zonestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b8d1db5c73970c2016-05-03T13:31:57-04:002016-05-03T13:31:57-04:00The New York Times reports warplanes level a hospital in the rebel-held half of Aleppo, Syria, killing one of the city’s last pediatricians. A Saudi-led military coalition bombs a hospital in Yemen. In Afghanistan, American aircraft pummel a hospital mistaken for a Taliban redoubt. The rules of war, enshrined for decades, require hospitals to be treated as sanctuaries from war — and for health workers to be left alone to do their jobs. But on today’s battlefields, attacks on hospitals and ambulances, surgeons, nurses and midwives have become common, punctuating what aid workers and United Nations officials describe as a...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports warplanes level a hospital in the rebel-held half of Aleppo, Syria, killing one of the city’s last pediatricians. A Saudi-led military coalition bombs a hospital in Yemen. In Afghanistan, American aircraft pummel a hospital mistaken for a Taliban redoubt. The rules of war, enshrined for decades, require hospitals to be treated as sanctuaries from war — and for health workers to be left alone to do their jobs. But on today’s battlefields, attacks on hospitals and ambulances, surgeons, nurses and midwives have become common, punctuating what aid workers and United Nations officials describe as a new low in the savagery of war.

Chaos in Baghdad as fight against Islamic State continuestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e553696650883401b7c85087d8970b2016-05-02T14:55:02-04:002016-05-02T14:55:02-04:00The New York Times reports hundreds of protesters stormed Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone on Saturday and entered the Parliament building, demanding an end to corruption. A day later, they began to leave. What brought on this chaos, and why did it end so quickly? Images of Iraqis storming Parliament over the weekend made it seem as though a popular revolution were at hand. In reality, it was something else: partly a legitimate expression of popular anger, but partly political theater. The episode had to be somewhat condoned by the authorities, given the ease with which the protesters were able to...Georgetown CNSL

The New York Times reports hundreds of protesters stormed Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone on Saturday and entered the Parliament building, demanding an end to corruption. A day later, they began to leave. What brought on this chaos, and why did it end so quickly? Images of Iraqis storming Parliament over the weekend made it seem as though a popular revolution were at hand. In reality, it was something else: partly a legitimate expression of popular anger, but partly political theater. The episode had to be somewhat condoned by the authorities, given the ease with which the protesters were able to pass through the fortresslike security.